Red on Red 1971 LS6 Convertible Headed to Russo and Steele Scottsdale

The list of significant Corvettes being offered at the January auctions next month continues to grow. Next up is this very rare red on red 1971 LS6 convertible which will be crossing Russo and Steele’s auction block in January. It is believed that this car is the only red on red LS6 roadster ever built.

Due to a labor strike which shortened the 1970 model run, 1971 was essentially an extension of 1970. Updates that year were mainly cosmetic except under the hood. The legendary LS6 found its way over to the Corvette from the Chevelle. The stump pulling aluminum head big block added 22% ($1,221) to the coupe’s base price of $5,496. Chevrolet assembled 21,801 Corvettes in for the 1971 model run. Of those, less than 1% (188) were equipped with RPO LS6, the 425hp 454CI big block.

Lot 7096 at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdate, Az auction is one of roughly just 20 LS6 – 4speed Corvette convertibles built in 1971. Twelve are known to survive today. This particular LS6 is the only one known to have been delivered in Mille Miglia Red with a red interior. Other options on the numbers matching big block include power brakes, power steering, raised white letter tires, and the mandatory M-22 4 speed transmission.

The car was initially delivered to the GM Tech Center on March 16th 1971 according to its NCRS Shipping Data Report. Other owners after General Motors include collectors the Steinman brothers and Dr. Paul Noble.

The car has received a frame off restoration and claimed virtually all of the Corvette world’s top awards. Accolades include NCRS Top Flight, Bloomington Gold, and Gold Spinner which all add up to the Triple Crown. It was also featured in the January 2013 issue of Corvette magazine. Other documentation includes the tank sticker and affidavit from Al Grenning’s Collector Car Affirmation Service.
The red-red 1971 LS6 convertible will be crossing the auction block at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale, Arizona auction next month. The 5 day event runs January 15th – 19th at 18398 North Hayden Road in Scottsdale.

Stay tuned to CorvetteBlogger as we continue to bring you some of the rare, desirable, and expensive Corvettes that will be up for grabs next month in Arizona and Florida.